Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said forward Matthew Knies is “improving” as he recovers from an upper-body injury but will be out of the lineup for Sunday’s game against Utah.
Knies left during the second period of Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Vegas when he was checked by Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Zach Whitecloud. No penalty was called on the play, although Whitecloud went to the box for roughing after mixing it up with Toronto’s Simon Benoit.
Berube told reporters Friday he didn’t have a timeline for when Knies would return.
“If he keeps progressing in the right direction, then a possibility down the road here soon,” Berube said.
Knies has 12 points (eight goals and four assists) in 20 games this season.
The 22-year-old from Phoenix recorded 35 points (15 goals and 20 assists) in 80 games during his first full campaign with the team in 2023-24.
